Thread: The definitive Barber's Hone grit answer..

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

I think the way they breakdown and to some degree the fineness, depends on how they were made. There seem to be 'hot' barber hones that were baked and 'cold' barber hones that were left to set. The binder used plays a part, too. The later production hones used either an 'earth' binder or a 'resin' binder. Earlier ones used shellac as a binder, some even used potassium dichromate and gum - pot. di. hardens gum when exposed to ultra violet life.

I would suspect that the gum-types (which must be quite rare now) and shellac ones would eventually soften up, and that earth binders that were baked would last better than resin binders that were left to set-up. Some that give reasonable results as-is often fail dramatically after an attempt has been made to lap them, perhaps because the finer layer of surface aggregates has been lapped away - you find this in cast concrete - the 'laitance' collects at the sides and top and looks very fine and shiny - chip it and the particles look much coarser.

Just an idea - I don't know exactly one way or the other, except that they are man-made and all man-made things seem to succumb to the ravages of time sooner or later.

Regards,
Neil

PS: you lucky so-and-so, Wolfpack - a carton of half a dozen pristine hones - who did you hold up?

I agree completely Neil...I am not a big fan of just 'matter of factly' lapping Barber hones. NOT all Barber Hones benefit from lapping other than to repair chips or nicks on the edges of the hone!!!



LOL!

Actually "TWO" 1/2 cartons: One case "Full Size" and one case "Little Frictionite 00"...



I would venture a guess that you and I could 'make a deal'... ...

WP34

Two boxes?! Wonderful!

Deals .. you know how to get a guy thinking...

Regards,
Neil

For about the most definitive database on barber hones, go here: Barber Hone Reviews

Razor and Stone site is owned by one of the most knowledgeable stone guys I know, most of the veterans remember Sham...

I can't comment about composition or the performance of a wide variety of brands, but I have two Genco branded barber's hones (one which is a strop backed hone). I'm currently using them as finishers coming off the Norton 8k, using lather, a super light touch (or butterfly kisses, as Glen calls them) and 5-10 strokes. I'm getting fantastic shaves, and definitely notice the difference from blades I stopped at the Norton 8k. After roughly every 4-5 shaves with a particular blade, I'll repeat the above routine for the barber's hone and it refreshes the edge wonderfully.

One of these days, I want to get a Naniwa 12k to see what difference I can get from the edge, but for now, my system works quite well.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

For about the most definitive database on barber hones, go here: Barber Hone Reviews

Razor and Stone site is owned by one of the most knowledgeable stone guys I know, most of the veterans remember Sham...

Interesting link - thanks!

Are the Swatty barber hone's considered the best? I've seen the 2, 3 and even 4 line Swatty's. What would be the difference between a 2 line and a 4 line Swatty, if any at all in terms of performance.

Is there a barbers hone that is considered top dog?

Originally Posted by Phrank

Interesting link - thanks!

Are the Swatty barber hone's considered the best? I've seen the 2, 3 and even 4 line Swatty's. What would be the difference between a 2 line and a 4 line Swatty, if any at all in terms of performance.

Is there a barbers hone that is considered top dog?

A lot of people woud say that the top dog amongst barber hones is the Norton razor hone.
I haven't tried them all, so I really couldn't tell.
Out of the ones I have tried though, and that includes Swaty's and Frictionite's, it is.

Originally Posted by Birnando

A lot of people woud say that the top dog amongst barber hones is the Norton razor hone.
I haven't tried them all, so I really couldn't tell.
Out of the ones I have tried though, and that includes Swaty's and Frictionite's, it is.

Thanks Birnando - if you had a to get a starter kit for honing, would it be a Norton 4/8 or a Naniwa 3/8, and what would your finishing stone be? I've read it can be a barbers hone, or even a Belgian Coti but I'm skeptical about that??

Originally Posted by Phrank

Thanks Birnando - if you had a to get a starter kit for honing, would it be a Norton 4/8 or a Naniwa 3/8, and what would your finishing stone be? I've read it can be a barbers hone, or even a Belgian Coti but I'm skeptical about that??

You know, while i have and love the Norton 4/8, I would start out with exactly what I started out with 4 years ago.
Naniwa.
I went with 2-5-8-12, but I'm pretty sure a 3/8/12K progression would suit most any person wanting to learn to hone perfectly

You rock!!

(pun intended)

Originally Posted by Birnando

A lot of people woud say that the top dog amongst barber hones is the Norton razor hone.
I haven't tried them all, so I really couldn't tell.
Out of the ones I have tried though, and that includes Swaty's and Frictionite's, it is.

I would have to agree with Birnando. I would rate the Swatty ( in pristine condition ) in the top 10 for sure...The Norton and the Pike precursor to the Norton (the same stone IMO) I would rate about even with the Fricitionite (in pristine condition) maybe a notch above. It's certainly the most expensive!

IMHO....

WP34